Buying a used mast - what to look for?

[jarcher]

Hi everyone...

I'm considering buying a used mast, from an Evelyn 32. Its a Kenyon 3656 section that has been broken but repaired near the gooseneck. It was repaired with an internal sleeve that is the same shape as the section. The sleeve was pop-rivited to the spar sections.

It uses the spreader bar method, and the slots for the spreader bars are radiused at the corners. It has shroud attachment points that are reinforced.

It needs some paint to replace peeling paint. Other than that I can't see any problems.

But, do you folks have any suggestions on what I should be looking for?

Thanks!

[AdamLein]

Look for a long, narrow cylinder, generally of hollow aluminum, but sometimes other materials are used.

[jarcher]

Originally Posted by AdamLein

Look for a long, narrow cylinder, generally of hollow aluminum, but sometimes other materials are used.

Its supposed to be long? Hollow? Wow, okay I'll go check for this, thanks!

[tommays]

Given how hard your going to use the boat i am not sure a broken and repiared one is the best path

[hellosailor]

j-
I'm not sure I'd want to scavenge a repaired mast as a replacement. Why buy someone else's troubles? No matter how tight the budget is.

Yes, sleeving and riveting is a normal repair procedure. Yes, if it is done properly it can be 100% good. And it is normal to actually cut a mast in two, or supply two pieces, and rivet them that way, when it is simply not feasible to ship a new or replacement mast. (Anything over 40' long is a shipping nightmare.)

But for a 32' boat...why ask for complications?

[jarcher]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

j-
I'm not sure I'd want to scavenge a repaired mast as a replacement. Why buy someone else's troubles? No matter how tight the budget is.

Yes, sleeving and riveting is a normal repair procedure. Yes, if it is done properly it can be 100% good. And it is normal to actually cut a mast in two, or supply two pieces, and rivet them that way, when it is simply not feasible to ship a new or replacement mast. (Anything over 40' long is a shipping nightmare.)

But for a 32' boat...why ask for complications?

Well, its a total of $1,500 vs $5,500 to $7,000...

[mitiempo]

Jim

What is wrong with your mast? If it is a bit heavier the difference wouldn't be that great with a lighter one I don't think. If your mast is in good condition the money might be better spent on sails.

[jarcher]

Well the existing mast is 3.9lb per foot. The boat pitches quite a lot. Also, I can't get the mast to bend, so I have trouble depowering the main. I can't set any pre-bend, so I'm not really getting the best sail shape.

So, I'm looking at a lighter spar. The riggers I spoke with all agreed that my existing mast is vastly overkill for the boat.

[mitiempo]

Is your mast the original one?

[jarcher]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Is your mast the original one?

No. I am still trying to figure out what the original spar section is on an American made Scampi 30 MK-IV, but I know this is not it. All the other ones I have seen are two spreader rigs, while mine is a single spreader rig.

Someone told me they think Solona (the American maker in Newport, RI) extruded their own sections. But who knows.

Also, my mast is a bit taller than other Scampi's. It is a non-standard height, for which I am paying a PHRF penality. I am not getting any credit for the extra weight, because until I know what the standard spar is i don't know what to ask PHRF for.

The Kenyon 5072 section measures 7.4in by 5.08 in, and has MoI of an incredible 21.3 x 11.5. I can use an MoI closer to 7.4 x 3.1. So the difference between what I have and what I need is huge.